Paul Wall (born Paul Slayton on March 30, 1980) is an American rapper, DJ, … Read Full Bio ↴Paul Wall (born Paul Slayton on March 30, 1980) is an American rapper, DJ, and promoter from Houston, Texas. Notable as one of the few successful white Southern rappers, Slayton is affiliated with Swishahouse Records, formerly Swisha Blast Records. Slayton is a graduate of Jersey Village High School and studied mass communications at the University of Houston for three years. Paul Wall was originally one-half of Houston power duo The Color Changin' Click, alongside long-time partner (and now estranged acquaintance) Chamillionaire in 1998.

Wall's first music industry exposure came as a street team member on the Northwest side of Houston, promoting southern artists such as T.I. and labels like Cash Money and The New No Limit. He is also an accomplished and proficient mixtape and party DJ, known for producing mixtapes in the now-well-known screwed & chopped style, which was invented by the late DJ Screw. While he has recently stated on record that South LE. (in Houston's southside) is his base of operations, it is not the neighborhood that Paul Wall is actually from. Paul Wall has claimed several such neighborhoods over his career, starting with De Soto in Acres Homes (his original home neighborhood), then switching to Gulf Bank (also in Acres Homes).

Paul Wall, Chamillionaire and Jon Higgins were originally affiliated with Swishahouse Records, but left for Paid in Full Records a short time later. After several mixtape and independent releases, including the critically acclaimed 'Get Ya Mind Correct', the two parted ways on bad terms. Chamillionaire continued to release independent records, while Paul Wall returned to the Swishahouse fold. This move allowed him to appear on Mike Jones' first commercially distributed single, "Still Tippin'", from his first major label album 'Who Is Mike Jones?'.

His major label debut, 'The People's Champ', has produced a lead single, "Sittin' Sidewayz", which is receiving national radio and television play. In August, 2005, rumors began to circulate that Paul Wall and Chamillionaire had settled any differences that remained between them, and are again on good terms with one another. Paul Wall also appeared with GLC on the song "Drive Slow" on Kanye West's second solo album, 'Late Registration'.

Paul Wall is the owner and proprietor of TV Jewelry in Houston. The store specializes in the production of grills, silver, gold, or platinum caps and diamond inlays (usually princess-cut diamonds). Grills have become a growing trend in rap culture and have even influenced its own song. "Grillz", by Nelly featuring Paul Wall along with other artists, where at one point Paul raps "Call me George Foreman 'cause I'm sellin' everybody grillz.)

Know What I'm Talkin' Bout
Paul Wall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[talking]
Know I'm tal'n bout, already
I'm just saying though

[Hook - 2x]
It's going down, know I'm tal'n bout
(Know I'm tal'n bout)
I'm on the grind, know I'm tal'n bout

(Know I'm tal'n bout)
Every penny nickle and dime, well I still got time
Every dolla that I can find, know I'm tal'n bout
(Know I'm tal'n bout)

[Paul Wall]
I gotta get that money, I gotta get that cash
I gotta stack bread, cause I'm spending it fast
I got habits, that I just can't break
Just got a brand new car, cash on fifth gray
If I see it I want it, if I buy it I flaunt it
A Kenyon Martin high school jersey, worth at least five hundred
Everything I got authentic, from the clothes to the chain
A twenty thousand dolla mouth, man I love this game
Everything changed, when I started getting that money
From the land of milk and honey, when I smile it's sunny
Isn't it funny, how people say that money changed me
I ain't worried what they broke ass, think bout me
I'm riding on 83's, my rims are classic
24's under the Avalanche, looking Jurassic
Paint change like mirages, you don't know when you pass it
I'm big balling till I lay in a casket, already

[Hook - 2x]

[Paul Wall]
I'm a neighborhood trend setter, getting that cheddar
Nobody does it better, I'm a cash money go-getter
Looking clean riding spinners, on these Lone Star streets
Spitting game laying pipe, to these all star freaks
We the boys pulling up, in them candy coated cars
A couple more in the garage, we some neighborhood stars
Check the wrist check the mouth, check the ice on the neck
You disrespect we put a price on your neck, watch your mouth
I'm on that South Lee, 8900 block
I hustle nonstop, to earn everything that I got
I'm hot I swang and pop trunk, the block done got crunk
Got plex we got pumps, cause partna we not punks
I got chunks of paper, filling my pocket
Don't knock it you can't stop it, just sit back and watch it
The fifth wheel I drop it, I got cheese in my hot pocket
We slow it down and chop it, know I'm tal'n bout

[Hook - 2x]

[Paul Wall]
You can hear me in my drop, a block away
The fifth wheel bow down, unlock and pray
The IRS, wanna know what I bought today
I wonder which lap top, I'll watch today
If lil' mama wanna bop, she got to pay
I'm in a Benz big 6, like Dr. J
I wonder which car lot, I'll shop today
I be balling real big, the proper way
Respect it or check it, but best not neglect it
You don't really wanna see, the parking lot get hectic
We big ballers, and big trucks with big ass rims
Blueberry with no stems, make strangers friends
Tighten up no slack, cause them people be watching
Them jump out boys be plotting, homie you ain't forgotten
In jail or in a coffin, or a hospital coffin
But I'm none of the above it ain't me, know I'm tal'n bout

[Hook - 4x]

Overall Meaning

In the song Know What I'm Doing, Paul Wall talks about his hustle and work ethic. He explains that he is focused on making money and getting his hustle on. He does not shy away from owning his desire for wealth and material things. Paul Wall is very proud of his accomplishments and does not apologize for his success.

In the first verse, Paul Wall talks about how he needs money and has to stack his bread. He is proud of his high-end purchases such as his new car and his Kenyon Martin high school jersey, which is worth over $500. Despite his sensitivity towards his material belongings, he ensures that everything he has, from his clothes to his mouth, is authentic. He believes his priorities and perspective change significantly after he starts making money, which also helps him provide for his family. He notes that people often say money has changed him, but instead of listening, he disregards them.

In the second verse, Paul Wall boasts about his status as a neighborhood trendsetter and a cash money go-getter. He likes to present himself well, from his outfits to jewelry and his ride, for which he receives admiration from his peers. He is aware that people will try to bring him down and warns them not to disrespect him. Paul Wall commands respect from others and wants them to keep their eyes on him because he is known for making big moves.

Line by Line Meaning

Know I'm tal'n bout, already
I am talking about what you already know, just acknowledging that fact.

It's going down, know I'm tal'n bout
Things are happening, and I am talking about them.

I'm on the grind, know I'm tal'n bout
I am working hard to reach my goals, and I am talking about that.

Every penny nickle and dime, well I still got time
I am still working to accumulate even small amounts of money because I have time to do so.

Every dolla that I can find, know I'm tal'n bout
I am talking about seeking and earning every possible dollar.

I gotta get that money, I gotta get that cash
I need to earn as much money as I can.

I gotta stack bread, cause I'm spending it fast
I need to save my money because I tend to spend it quickly.

I got habits, that I just can't break
I have certain habits that are difficult to stop, especially when it comes to spending money.

Just got a brand new car, cash on fifth gray
I recently purchased a new car with cash and it is the color of a certain shade of gray.

If I see it I want it, if I buy it I flaunt it
If I see something I like, I tend to want to buy it and show it off.

A Kenyon Martin high school jersey, worth at least five hundred
I own a basketball jersey from Kenyon Martin's high school that is worth at least $500.

Everything I got authentic, from the clothes to the chain
I only own authentic items, from my clothes to my chain.

A twenty thousand dolla mouth, man I love this game
I spent $20,000 on my teeth, but I don't regret it because it is worth it to me.

Everything changed, when I started getting that money
My life changed considerably when I began earning a lot of money.

From the land of milk and honey, when I smile it's sunny
I come from a place of wealth and opportunity, and I am happy with my success.

Isn't it funny, how people say that money changed me
I find it amusing how some people claim that my success and wealth have changed me.

I ain't worried what they broke ass, think bout me
I don't care about the opinions of people who are not successful like me.

I'm riding on 83's, my rims are classic
My car has 83-inch rims, which are considered classic.

24's under the Avalanche, looking Jurassic
My other car has 24-inch rims and is an Avalanche, making it look large and impressive.

Paint change like mirages, you don't know when you pass it
The color of my car changes depending on where you are, making it look like an illusion.

I'm big balling till I lay in a casket, already
I plan to continue being successful and enjoying my wealth until I die.

I'm a neighborhood trend setter, getting that cheddar
I set trends in my community and earn a lot of money doing so.

Nobody does it better, I'm a cash money go-getter
I am the best at what I do, which is earning and accumulating money.

Looking clean riding spinners, on these Lone Star streets
I look impressive while riding my car with its spinners on the streets of Texas.

Spitting game laying pipe, to these all star freaks
I am successful with women and have many sexual partners.

We the boys pulling up, in them candy coated cars
My friends and I pull up in cars with candy-like paint jobs.

A couple more in the garage, we some neighborhood stars
I own a few more cars that I store in my garage, and I am a prominent figure in my community.

Check the wrist check the mouth, check the ice on the neck
Check out my jewelry on my wrist, mouth, and neck.

You disrespect we put a price on your neck, watch your mouth
If you disrespect me, I will retaliate and harm you. Be careful what you say around me.

I'm on that South Lee, 8900 block
I am in a specific location located on South Lee street in the 8900 block.

I hustle nonstop, to earn everything that I got
I work hard without stopping to earn everything that I own.

I'm hot I swang and pop trunk, the block done got crunk
I am the center of attention, showing off my car's trunk and causing everyone to get excited.

Got plex we got pumps, cause partna we not punks
I own firearms for protection and I and my friends are not weak or cowardly.

I got chunks of paper, filling my pocket
I have a lot of money, filling up my pockets.

Don't knock it you can't stop it, just sit back and watch it
Don't criticize me because you can't prevent my success. Just watch me achieve it.

The fifth wheel I drop it, I got cheese in my hot pocket
I am showing off my car's fifth wheel and I carry money around in my pocket.

We slow it down and chop it, know I'm tal'n bout
We lower the car's suspension and do a slow, smooth movement with it. This is what I am talking about.

You can hear me in my drop, a block away
My car's music is so loud and clear that it can be heard from a block away.

The fifth wheel bow down, unlock and pray
My car's fifth wheel is impressive and powerful, demanding respect and awe from others.

The IRS, wanna know what I bought today
The IRS is interested in what I spend my money on.

I wonder which lap top, I'll watch today
I am unsure which laptop I should buy today with my money.

If lil' mama wanna bop, she got to pay
If a woman wants to dance with me, she has to pay me.

I'm in a Benz big 6, like Dr. J
I drive a Mercedes Benz with a large engine, just like Dr. J's car.

I wonder which car lot, I'll shop today
I am not sure which car dealership I will go to today to buy more cars.

I be balling real big, the proper way
I am playing basketball successfully and professionally, in the right way.

Respect it or check it, but best not neglect it
You should respect my status and money, or else suffer the consequences.

You don't really wanna see, the parking lot get hectic
You do not want to be around when things get crazy in the parking lot with me and my friends.

We big ballers, and big trucks with big ass rims
My friends and I are very successful and drive trucks with large, impressive rims.

Blueberry with no stems, make strangers friends
Smoking blueberry-flavored marijuana makes strangers become friends.

Tighten up no slack, cause them people be watching
I need to be on my best behavior and not mess up, because people are watching me carefully.

Them jump out boys be plotting, homie you ain't forgotten
The police are trying to catch me and my friends, but we haven't forgotten about them either.

In jail or in a coffin, or a hospital coffin
I could potentially end up in jail or dead if I am not careful and continue my current lifestyle.

But I'm none of the above it ain't me, know I'm tal'n bout
I do not plan to end up in any of those situations, and that is what I am talking about.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, JR., EDDIE J. KENDRICK, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD, EDWARD JR. HOLLAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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